Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-15

PURE POTOMAC WAITE
Whist Capt symons say q water Pol.
lusien, sAe Cess Of Filssring, ETC.
81 think, on general principles, that some sys.
TEN OF purifying our water should be PROVIDED
said Capt Thos. W. Sym0ns, OF the engineer Dc.
partment OF the District government. to-day. to q
STAR reporter. but don't see,s he continued.
show the District can as present shoulder the aa-
ditional burden OF taxation that might be imposed
although as q matter OF fact don't know why the
General Government should not pay the expense
ofproviding some satisfactory means. The poliu-
ton OF the Potomac water Is very slight when
compared with other rivers, but during the
months OF winter and spring IL becomes Co a great
extent muddy and filled with f1oculent matter
DIT: Theobald smith. Of the Agricultural Depart
water, says that when the water Is Dad II contains
aiarger portion OF animal or bacterial matter than
n does at any other time"
THE REPORT OF 1886 ON THE CONDITION. or THE
Referring to his report in response to the Senate
resolution Of February s. 1856, relative to nlters
for the water supply for the capital, Captain sy-
mons stated that comparative tableof the number
the water at Great Falls and in the distrbutinT res
ervor Is Clear shows that &C the former place there
was was an average q 1888 days when the water was
slightly turbid, Al turbid and 129 very turbld,
BID 30 turbid and e vsry turSd az the dstiteut
Ing reservoir. This shows the amount OF sub
sidence that occurs from the time the water is
drawn into the mains near Great Falls until ft
leaves the distributing reservoir.
THE CHARACTER OF THR COUNTRY
around the.upper Potomac is mountainous, with
much loose SOIL and in the rainy spring season,
when the water drains from the surrounding hills
into the Potomac 1t carries considerable sedi-
~ H0 faot- foI not
not ctedr,cdter river; over one-half OF the time
It's waters are more or less turbid. In con-
sidering this matter It should be borne in mind
that While the water Is comparatively clear fn the
distributing reservoir about two-thirds OF the
year, 1t does not by any means follow that II is free
month OF May that the fsh-uke odor comes to the
water, and during the time OF Its prevalence the
water Is clear and bright"
HOW THE WATER IN TIE Receiving RESERVOIR Is
STIRRED UP.
Capt. Symons stated that the receiving reservoir
was intended to act as a subsiding reservoir, but
observation shows that it does not satisfactorily
accomplish that object, although there is consid-
cradle subsistence during the year. The reason
1Or JnlS apparent failure Is that this reservoir Is
the natural valley of small stream called the
Powder Mill Branch, from which, although a dam
has been thrown across II, small streams drain
into the reservoir. which has no sope-paving, car
rytng with them large amount Of sediment and
agitating that which may have been deposited BY
fhe tn der q, CAPT symOns roughly
so 600 900 gallons OF water daily would be in the
neigh6orhood OF $500 1000 which would impose a
cost OF % cents per capita per annum on the water
drinkers for the interest the principal at per
cent and the expense OF maintenance.
The Children's Christmas Dinner.
MEETING OF THE LADIES IN CHARGE-THE FINAL
MEETING TO BE HELD NEXT wEEK-ADDITIoNAL
CONTRIBUTIONS.
The meeting OF the ladies at the Ebbitt House
this morning who are in charge OF the arrange
ments for The Children's Christmas dinner to be
given at the National Rifles armory on the 2Sth
instant, was not largely attended, owing to the
heavy rain-stOrm that prevailed 1t was decided
TO hold another meeting next Thursday at the
completed. Mrs v. b. Webb reported the receipt OF
the following subscriptions since the last meeting:
Mr. and Mrs. L. Ross Perry, $40; Mrs. Mauisby
8; Miss Carson 81; Miss Hagner, 81; Mrs. Hill
Freeman. $40; Miss Coleman, $40; L. E White, s.;
Mrs. James Hoban. So; GOV. Alex. X shepherd, go;
Mrs. j. Mills Brown, 81; from dues Tor membership
OF Children's Christmas Club, $3.50.
Mrs. webb said that there was now about $500
on hand but that the total expenses would amount
to over $500. subscriptions would therefore be
gladly received. Ii was stated that arrangements
had been made with Mr.. lie MOur TO furnish the
dinner; that Mr.. Hubbard Smith had consented TO
take the part OF Kriss Kiingie at the
and Punch and Judy show provided for Mrs
Webb said that 500 tickets or admission to the
dinner had been given to the police and would be
distributed by them TO deserving children. An
offer from the proprietor OF the Wonderland Mus
cum on the avenue, near nth street TO furnish
the children entertained by the club with tickets
OF admission to the museum on some day to be
designated was presented and the ladies decided
that the proceeds of some performance be given to
the fund OF the ChildrenS clubs,